Apple has suffered a setback as the White House decided not to take urgent action to overturn the US International Trade Commission’s (ITC) decision, which bans the sale of certain models of the popular Apple Watch. The ITC decision stems from a patent dispute with medical device manufacturer Masimo, which found that the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2, along with other newer models, infringe on Masimo’s patent regarding a pulse oximeter.
Despite Apple’s claims that the smartwatch is a life-saving device, the ITC decision has forced the company to remove the controversial models from its online store and Apple Store locations. However, other retailers, such as Amazon and Best Buy, may still sell their remaining inventory of Apple Watch.
Despite the ultimatum for the Biden administration to intervene by Christmas Day, the White House ultimately decided not to reverse the ITC’s decision. Apple expressed its disappointment with the decision and stated that it is seeking legal and technological solutions to ensure the availability of Apple Watch to its customers in the United States.
One potential solution for Apple could be to introduce software changes that modify the watch’s functionality in relation to the pulse oximeter patent. However, this process may take time, and there is no guarantee that the ITC will accept the proposed changes.
The patent dispute with Masimo is not the first clash between these two companies. Apple previously filed patent infringement lawsuits against Masimo in October 2022. Masimo’s CEO, Joe Kiani, believes that Apple deliberately infringes on his company’s patents.
Similar interventions by the president in ITC decisions have occurred in the past, such as President Obama’s veto on the ban of older iPhone and iPad models in 2013. However, this time the White House chose not to do so. As a result, Apple will have to rely on its legal and technological strategies to cope with this setback.
The source of the article is from the blog crasel.tk